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KWMU in Iraq

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Psychological Operations

In Iraq, psychological operations, known as psyops, are at the front edge of the U.S.-led coalition's military campaign. Psyops tactics often take a chapter from the Madison Avenue playbook, by identifying a target audience and then selling that audience an idea. The message of the 10th Psychological Operations Battalion, based in St. Louis, is that the Iraqi Coalition Government offers the best chance for peace in that country. KWMU's Adam Allington is in Iraq reporting on the 10th Psychological Operations Battalion.

Adam Allington's trip to Iraq has been financed, in part, by the Multi-National Force-Iraq. His reporting, however, is free of censorship and influence by the military.

Interpreters fear for their lives, but are indispensable to troopsInterpreters act as cultural bridges. The work is extremely dangerous; interpreters and their families are often targets of insurgents.

KWMU's Adam Allington spoke with an interpreter who goes simply by the name Peter.

Peter says that when he first started working for the U.S. military in 2005, interpreters were in such short supply he would often work 24 hours a stretch.

Despite modern conveniences, soldiers still face plenty of down timeThings have changed somewhat since previous wars; soldiers now have e-mail, TV and video games. But do such comforts really fill the void that family, friends and a life outside of the Army used to occupy?

Soldiers try to foster trust in local governmentOver the last six months, coalition forces operating in Iraq have had some success pushing insurgents out of urban centers. Some military units are now directly involved in support roles to prop up local governemtns. But do Iraqis want a Democratic system? And do they have faith in their elected leadership in Baghdad?

Reporter finds Iraqis, military welcomingKWMU's Adam Allington has reported on the 10th Psychological Operations Battalion's efforts to work with the Iraqi people to stabilize their communities; the effects of multiple call-ups on the soldiers; and the system of reconciling the damage done by the coalition's forces.

He tells KWMU's Bill Raack that he was not prepared for what he has seen and heard in Iraq.

PsyOp soldiers wage 'battle for hearts and minds' in Iraq
Since the war in Iraq began, the U.S. military has tried to establish peace by promoting a western system of democratic governance and civic responsibility.

Missouri army unit fights PsyOps war in Iraq
The message of the 307th Psychological Operations Company, based at Jefferson Barracks in St. Louis, is that the Iraqi Coalition Government offers the best chance for peace in that country.

KWMU's Adam Allington is traveling to Iraq to report on the 307th. Before he left, Adam spoke with Major Shawn McLain, who's the company's commander.